Accra Academy at 95: Nana Oye Bampoe Addo Calls for National Purpose and Educational Partnership

Accra Academy, one of Ghana’s most storied secondary schools, has officially launched its 95th anniversary celebrations, with Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo calling for a renewed commitment to national purpose, integrity and educational partnerships.

Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the launch event held at the Ridge Church Hall in Accra on Friday, 29 May 2026, Ms Bampoe Addo said the values that have sustained the institution for nearly a century are the same values needed to drive Ghana’s development forward.

The ceremony, held under the theme “Accra Academy at 95 Years: A Legacy of Pride, Purpose and Achievement,” brought together alumni, education stakeholders, students, corporate leaders and government officials to mark the beginning of a year-long commemoration of the school’s legacy.

Four Generations of Connection

In a personal reflection, Ms Bampoe Addo recounted her family’s deep connection to Accra Academy, noting that four generations of her family attended the school. Although she herself is an alumna of Wesley Girls’ High School, she said the values and traditions of Accra Academy had significantly shaped her life and outlook.

She praised the institution’s founders for their vision of providing quality education to deserving students regardless of financial background, and commended the school for producing chief justices, speakers of parliament, diplomats, scientists, sports personalities and other distinguished professionals who have contributed significantly to national and global development.

“The values that have sustained Accra Academy for ninety-five years are the same values Ghana needs today. The call is not merely to appear successful, but to build with purpose, serve with integrity, and leave a lasting legacy,” she stated.

Linking Legacy to the Reset Agenda

The Deputy Chief of Staff linked the school’s core values of discipline, service, excellence and purpose to the government’s Reset Agenda under President John Dramani Mahama. She highlighted ongoing efforts to expand access to education, improve infrastructure and strengthen technical and vocational education across the country.

Her remarks come against a backdrop of significant challenges in Ghana’s education sector. A recent teachers’ strike in Tarkwa sent thousands of pupils home from 80 schools, underscoring the fragility of the system even as institutions like Accra Academy celebrate enduring excellence.

Ms Bampoe Addo officially unveiled the school’s 95th anniversary logo and endorsed a calendar of commemorative activities, including memorial lectures, mentorship programmes, alumni homecoming events, fundraising campaigns and infrastructure projects. She appealed to alumni, corporate organisations and development partners to support the planned renovation of the Konuah Assembly Hall and Legacy Staff Quarters, describing the projects as important investments in preserving the school’s heritage.

The event featured remarks from school authorities and the Accra Academy Old Boys Association. Haruna Iddrisu delivered the keynote address, while former Speaker of Parliament Edward Doe Adjaho chaired the occasion.

As Accra Academy begins the countdown to its centenary celebrations, Ms Bampoe Addo urged stakeholders to embrace the institution’s motto, “Esse Quam Videri” — “To Be Rather Than To Seem” — as a guiding principle for leadership, service and nation-building. At 95, the school’s challenge is not merely to celebrate its past, but to ensure that its next chapter reflects the same commitment to excellence that has defined its first century.

Image Source: STARR FM